A recent Nebraska Television Network newscast featured the Superior schools and an underlying issue facing many Nebraska schools, a shortage of substitute teachers.
“It’s just a situation where there’s not a lot of people out there that are not interested in subbing,” Bob Cook, the secondary school’s principal, said.
Cook said they’re tied to substitutes that will take turns teaching in both the elementary and secondary schools.
“We share subs and there’s a few that will only sub at the elementary and some that will only sub at the junior high and high school building but we pretty much have a pool that we draw from,” said Cook.
Cook said options are so much more limited that even retired teachers will make a visit in the classroom.
“We’re fortunate that we have a few people that retired and have been willing to come sub for us. But some of those have health concerns and obviously don’t feel comfortable coming in, subbing anymore,” said Cook.
“There’s a need in our area and across the state for substitute teachers,” Ogallala Campus Administrator for Mid-Plains Community College, Mary Pierce said.
Pierce said in order to meet the needs of local substitutes, the college has a couple of classes that meet the standards of the Nebraska Department of Education in order for a student with 60 credit hours to be considered a substitute.
“They can get that permit which allows them to be a substitute in our schools for 90 days a year,” said Pierce.
Pierce said if someone can be a substitute in various districts, especially in rural Nebraska, it helps the state overall.
“It also helps our entire workforce in this area. The more people employed, the better,” said Pierce.
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